Trimmer-saw.



G. F. DE WEIN.

TRIMMER SAW.

APPLICATION FILED 13110.13', 1912.

1,088,606. `Patented 1160.30, 1913.

2 sums-SHEET 1.

l L" M G. F. DE WEIN.

TRIMMEB. SAW.

APPLIGATION FILED 11116.13, 1912.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

2 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE.

GEORGE F. DE WEIN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR., BY MESNE`ASSIGN- MENTS, T01ALLISCHALNERS MANUFACTURING- COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

TRIMMER-SAW.

Patented Dea'so; 1913.

To @ZZ whom it may concern;

Y Be it known that I, GEORGE F. DE' WEIN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Trimmer- Saws, of which the following is-,a specification. t

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of sawmill machinery and particularly to improvements in mech` anism for4 controlling the position of a plurality of trimmer saws, or similar apparatus.

The object of the invention is to provide a controlling means tor positioning a plu rality'of trimmer saws or similar apparatus,

l by means of which the saws are normally individually controllableand which, .under certain conditions of operation, permits either collectiveor selective control of the positions of the saws, irrespective of the position "of the individual saws at the time such actuation is desired.

The device of the present invention permits positioning of a plurality of sawsfrom a common operating stand and utilizes fluid pressure,l preferably air, for movin the saws to ltheir respective desired positions, the valves controlling the Huid pressure means being either directly operated or indirectly by means of wires.

As the number of saws in various trimmerl saw equipments is a .variable quantity for different mills, it is desirable to have a controlling mechanism which may' be convenf iently extended toinclude any number of individual saw positioning mechanisms, and it is an object of the present invention to provide such a convenient means of extension. It is also desirable in mechanisms of this lcharacter to have similar working parts interchangeable with each other, and it is` a feature of the present invention to so construct the elements thatthe' number of different parts of the mechanism is reduced to a` minimum, thereby facilitating the furnishing of repair parts.

The market is at present being suppliedwith two'general types of fluid pressure actuated positioning means for trimmer saws.y In one of these, the saws are moved into operative position vby admitting fluid pressure against pistons which force the saws toward the table in opposition to the action of weights which normally tend to trimmer saw control, may' be ha .provide a controlling mechanism vwhich will operate efficiently upon either of these standard types of trimmer saw positioning in the pipe connections leading to the controlling mechanism.

Although the resent invention is disclosed as speciical y applied to the positionlng mechanism for trimmer saws, it is not,

desired to limit same to such application, as 'its utility would be equally great in other arts, such as the controlling Aof electric circuits and similar apparatus. A clear conception of Several embodiments of the controlling mechanism as a plied to d by referl ringto the accompanying drawings in which j like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Figure 1 'is a transverse vertical section through one of the individual controlling mechanisms of a trimmer saw equipment', showing the collective and selective controlling means in mid position. Fig. 2 is an end view of the trimmer saw controlling mechanismshowing the collective controL ling means in operative position. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through one of the individualA controlling mechanisms of a trimmer saw equipment, showing` Vthe selective or Slashersaw controlling means in operative position. Fig. 4 is a front view of a fra ent of the trimmer saw controlling mec anisin, showing a section through several of the individual valves and valve casings, the section being taken along the lineIV-IV of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of -the arrow. Fig. 5 is a showing of the' general arrangement df onetype of trimmer saw` equipment, showing the position of the controlling mechanism relative to the saws andtable. Fig. Gis a fragmentary end viewv of .a modified 'form of controlling means for -trimmer saws, yshowing a transverse vertical section through. a fragment of onel of the individual controlling valves4 and valve casing, and showing 4the collective and selective controlling .means inl mid position. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end view of '8 is a fragmentary end va modified form of controlling means for The devices disclosed in the drawings are applicable, asshown in Figs. 1 to 8, to that type of trimmer saw actuating mechanism in which the individualsaws are forced into operative position by means of fluid pressure acting-against pistons and vin opposition to gravitating weights which normally tend to later explained, it will be noted that by -a hold the saws out offoperative position. As

slight. change of the connections leading from the actuating cylinders to the 'valve casing,- the device as disclosed in Fig. 9 1s equally etliciently applicable to that type of apparatus in whichthe saws are normally Jheld in operative position by gravity and withdrawn from operative position by the fluid pressure.

lective, is meant a l'of the saws operable by ,he mechanism, while the term .selective is used to indicate a predetermined allotment or proportion ofthe total number of saws.

An equipment of trimmer saws in a saw? mill generally consists of a conveying table -53 upon which the material to be sawed 4is fed toward the saw bymeans of a conveying chain or belt 54 actuated by means of drums 55, see Fig. 5. The individual s'aws 47 are carried by arms 48 which are pivoted to suitable supporting beams. The common power shaft 52 carries a' series of suit-4 able driving pulleys 51 which are connec- -ed with suitable driving means on the saw shaft by means of bells 50. The location of the pivots of the arms 48 is suchthat with the saws 47 in operative position the belts 50 are taut and rwith the saws 47 in inoperative position the belts 50 are flexed.

The individual saw positioning cylinders 41 are stationarily supported upon suitable timbers and carry actuating pistons 42 which are connected with the saw arms 48 by means of connecting rods 43, 49. The levers 44 are fulcrumed at the stationary pivots 45," being connected with adjacent'.

ends of the connecting rods 43, 49at one end and carrying adjustable weights at their opposite ends. It should be noted that with fluid pressure established within the cylinders 41 and above the pistons 42, .thesaws 7 will be forced toward the table 53 against the action of the gravitating weights 46 which normally tend to keep .the saws 47 in inoperative position or away from the table 53.

In the controlling mechanism disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 3 Aand 4, the valvecasing is B dthe use of the term colll formed of a series of individual similar valve boxes 23 and covers 20 which are secured to the boxes 23 by means of bolts 21 or other suitable means. These similar valve boxes 23,and .covers 2O are placed end to end and are clamped between end casing portions 38 of the valve casing by means of through bolts 24. The number of boxes 23 and covers 20 corresponds to the number of saws in the set, there being one valve box 23 for each saw 47.4 The pressure 'chamber 22 extends throughout the entire ,length of the valve'casing and is connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure 'supply by means of a pipe 37 which may connect with either of the end portions 38 of the casing. It will be` notedy that by providing an individual valve box 23 for each of thelindividu'a-l trimmer saws 47, the casin may readily be extended to include any esired number'of saws.l

The valves 28, 30, are supported onv surfaces .within the pressure chamber 22 and control portsdirected toward the interior of this pressure chamber. The'valves 28, 30, are normally pressed to their 'seats by the pressure within the chamber 22. The ports leading to the. pressure chamber 22 are three in number for each individual valve box 23, and consist o f a central or exhaust port 29' which connects directly with the atmosphere, an'd two` end ports. One of these end ports is normally closed by means of a plug 26, andthe other connects with the positioning cylinder 41 of its respective in- 100 dividual sawby means of a pipe 25. The valves 28, 30, are movable 'over the pressure controlling ports by means of suitable valve stems 31 which are reduced in diameter at their mid portions. The reduced portions of each stem 31 is fitted into a recess formed inthe upper portion of 1ts respective valve 128, 30. This construction permits free automatic adjustment of the valves 28, 30, to their corresponding seats, to compensate for.

wear. The portions of the valve stems 31 which pass through the valve boxes 23 are suitably packed by means of stutiing boxes '27, 36. The-operating ends of the valve stems 31 are provided with adjustable cap 115 screws 40 over which the actuating levers take during actuation ofthe valves.

The valve actuating mechanism consists of individual intermediate controlling levers 6 having .fins or projecting portions 16 and 12o having downwardly extending valve actuating arms 14, and individual slasher controlling levers 7 having tins or projecting portions 17 and having downwardly. extending valve actuating portions 15. These levers 6, 7, are exactly alike but differ in their relative locations upon the lever supporting shaft 13 thus making the levers interchangeably reversible. The levers 7 lcorrespondto the`sa`ws 47 which it is cle- 13o oo y ' bearings upper ends of the levers 12 sired to operate selectively or as Slasher saws. The levers, 6 correspond to the intermediate saws 47 which it is desired to have in inoperative position during the operation of the selective or Slasher saws. The individual levers 6, 7, are provided with suitable numbers indicating the respective individual saws 47 which they control, see

Fig. 4. The-arms 14, 15,.of the levers 6, ends which takeover the eap- 7, have forked screws of the stems 31.

The lever supporting shaft l13 is mounted in bearings 18 formed ony the end cover plates 39, which plates are secured to the end portions collective and selective controlling evers 8 are mounted to swing upon overhanging ends of the shaft 13, and are connected by means of a pair of rods 9, 11, which are parallel to each other and span the` gap between the levers 8. The levers 8 are normally held in mid position by means of suitable springs 19 secured to the cover plates 39 and having notches indicating various operating positions, which coact with the pins 35, see Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Pins 34 are secured to the levers 8 and carry blocks 32 which coact in parallel sided slots formed in corresponding ends of the levers 12. The levers 12 are pivoted attheir Inid positions by means of pivots 33 fixed to the 18 'of the cover plates 39. The are connected by means of a rod 10. l

In the modified form of saw controlling `mechanism as disclosed in Figs. 6, 7 an'd 8,

the individual controlling`- levers 56, 57, are provided with hubs through which the com! mon lever supporting shaft 63 passes.- The collective and selective controlling levers`58 are supported upon a'shaft- 61, the shafts 61, 63 being mounted in bearings formed in the frame 62. The valve casings and valve mechanisms of this modified controlling means are identical with thosev disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, with the exception that the pipes 25 which connect with the saw i connect with the pressure chamber 22 through the ports which in the former disclosurewere clpsed ofi' by means of plugs 26, while the ports on the l other sides of the exhaust.v ports 29 are closed by means of plugs 26.

The individual controlling levers 56 are provided with selective controlling pins 96,

and with collective `controlling pins 86.

The individual controlling levers 57 are provided with select-ive controlling pins 97 and collective controlling pins 87. Each of the individual levers .56, 57, is provided with a slotted valve actuating portion 67 which coacts between the head of the cap screw 40 and the end of the valve rod 31. lective and selective controlling levers 58 are connected by means of parallel collective vnot desired to the controlling levers 8 are in mid positionv 38 ofl the valve'casin The i controlling position,

- controlling levers The colcontrolling rods 59,and selective controlling rods 60, which span the gap' between these levers' 58p.'

During 'the normal operation of, the ltrimr'r'e'r saws ,47, and at such times as it is operate the saws selectively,

as disclosedin Fig. 1. With the levers' 8 in mid position the individual levers 6, 7, are free to be thrown to either of the extreme operating positions. l/Vith the individual levers 6, 7 to the'right, the valves 28, 30, of the respect-iv'e levers permit free exhaust of Huid rom the interiors of the corresponding saw positioning cylinders 41 through the pipes 25 to atmosphere through the exhaust ports 29, see Figs.v l and 5. The gravitating weights 46 then cause the levers 44 to swing about the pivots 45 and to withdraw the flexing the belts 50. If any of the levers 6, 7 are thrown to the position with handles to the left as shown in Fig. 1, the corresponding valves 28, 30, are shifted to the eX- t-reme right of the pressure chamber 22 and the 4pipes 25 and cylinders 41 are placed in direct communication with the pressure chamber 22. The exhaust ports 29 areat the same time cut oftY from communication with the pipes 25, thusv permitting liuid under pressure'to act through the pipes 25 against the pistons 42 and in opposition to the action of the weights 46, to force' the saws 47 toward the table 53 and into operative position,

If it is desired to suddenly withdraw all of the saws collectively from operative position, it isnecessary to throw the levers .8 from the mid position indicated in Fig. 1 to the collective controlling position indicated in Fig. 2. With the levers 8 in collective all of the individual levers 6, .7, are forced to their extreme posi; tions to the right of the center line by means of the collective controlling rod 9, which during the movement of the levers 8 is brought in contact ,with the individual levers 6, "7, near the midportions thereof, and forces theselevers 6, 7, to-the cxtreme' position indicated in Fig. 2." It will be notedthat during collective control by motion of the levers 8 to the right of nornialposition, the selece tive controlling rods 10, 11, advance to positions of disengagement relative tothe projecting portions 16, 17, of the individual levers 6, 7. After operation of the collective 8, it is desirable to bring these levers 8 back to mid position as indicated in Fig. 1, in orderto have the levers 8 in such position as to permit free actuation of the individual levers 6, 7, and also so as not to require excessive movement of the levers 8 when later operating the' selective control.

, in the position with the handles 8.5 saws 47 from the table 53, at the same time the valve operating portion ofthe levers 6,

8, the corresponding respective individual i,oaaooo It it is desired to operate the selective or 7, 56, 57 from the ends of the levers 6, 7, 65 Slasher saws, it is necessary to throw the as disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, to a posilevers 8 from the mid position as shown in tion intermediate the endsof the levers, the

- Fig. 1 to the selective controlling position .required direction of motion of the valves f 5 indicated in Fig. 3. During this movement 28, 80, withthe two types of levers, is reof the levers 8, the rods 11 which are carried versedfor a similar direction of motion of 7o v by the levers 8 come in contact with the the operating ends of the leversG, 7, 56,57, edges of the projecting portions 17 of the d11 1`1I1g OperatlOn 0f the'individual controllevers-7, and carry these levers 7 to the ext ling means. It is desirable to maintain the -io treme left. or saws down position. .Simuloperating movements of the lndlvidual 1etaneously with the motion of the levers 7 to vers 6, 7 56, 57 the same in all cases, prefer- 75 saws down position, the rod 10 carried by the ably toward the `9De121CQ1- While brmglng the levers 12, is swung about the pivots 33 by Saws into operative position and away from means of the pins 3.4 and intermediate blocks the operator Whlle Wlthdrawmg the Saws 32, causing all of the levers 6. which are from operative position. This will be hercotherwise'positioned to take the extreme inafter discussed with relation. to the vari- 80 -right or saws up position.- The movement of Gus types of trimmer saw.

.the levers 6 to saws up position is accom- Wit-h the levers 58 111 mld POSltln aS 'cplished by the automatic coaction of the rod l10WI1iI1- Flg. 6, the rods 59, 60 are in normal 2,0 10 with the projecting portions 16 of the lnoperatlve position. Thel two positions o f levers 6. The use of the intermediate blocks 651011 0f the PI1S96, 97, ldlctte the WQ .pOSl- 85 32, provides a' means for preventing excstions of these pins with their respective lesive wear along the working surfaces of the VGS 56, 57, in each 0f thtwo eXtreme P031- pins 34 and levers 12. 4The blocks 32 durtions. If a lever 56 with corresponding ing movement of the levers 8, simultaneously P111 96 .1s thrown to the position with handle slide upon the plane surfaces of the recess t0 the rlght as shown', its'correspondingpin 9o formed in the ends ofthe levers 12 and ro- 96 takes a pOStiOn .0f engagement with the tate about the pins 34 to'eompensate for the rod 60.' If the lever 57 with its correspondchanges in angularity between the levers 8, jlng in 97 1s thrown into the position With 2. handle to the left as shown, vits correspond- It should loe-noted that the only individual ing pin 97 moves to a position of engagement 95 levers 6, 7, which are aiected by motion of with the rod 60. the levers 8 in either direction, are those cor- If it is desired to move all of the individv responding to the saws 47 which at the time 11211 Saws '47 simultaneously and collectively 35 are in other than the desired positions; that away .from the table 53, the levers 58 are is, if one 'of the Slasher vsaws 47 is at, the thrown to the position` to the extreme ri'glit 10d time in Slasher position'a'nd it is desired to of normal, as indicated ill Fig. 7- -Dlllillig operate all of the slasher saws 47 ,theindi-V the movement of the levers 58 to the right, vidual actuating lever 7 corresponding to the rod 59 comes in contact with the pins 40 that particular slasher saw will notbe moved; 87, 86, carried bythe'l'evers 57, 56, respec- .and if one 4ot' the intermediate saws 47 is in tively, which are not in saws up position, 105 inoperative position at the time, the indicausing these pins 87, 86, and their corre vidual actuating levers 6 corresponding to spondin levers 57, 56, to take the position that particular intermediate saw willnot be indlcate in Fig. 7 The pins 96, 86, lof all disturbed by actuation of the levers -8 to of the'levers 56 then take correspondin poslasher. position. t sitions, while the pins 97, 87 of all o the 110 During the normal operationI of the modi levers 57 likewise take corresponding posiiied device disclosed in Figs. 6, v7 and 8, the tions, as shown in Fig. 7. All of the valves levers 58 are in the mid position. as disclosed 28, 30, are then located in their extreme 50, in Fig 6. The individual levers 56, 5H, are right position andthe pipes'25'are connected then free to be moved to either of the exwith the exhaust through the ports 29 the 115 treme positions disclosed. With the indisaws 47 being. in inoperative' position.V vidual levers 56, 57 in the position with If-it is desired to operate-the selective oi handles to the left as shown, the valves 2S, Slasher saws, the levers 58 are thrown to the 30, are to the 'extreme left and the pressure extreme left position, as indicated in Fig. 8. chamber. 22 is connected through the` pipes During such movement of the levers 58, the 25 to the interiors of the saw positioning rod 60 is forced inwardly against surfaces of cylinders 41. With the levers 56, 57 ,in the the pins 96., 97, causing the pins 96,' 97, to position with handles to the right as shown spread and Ithe individual levers '56I '57,

' 60 in Fig. 6, the valves 28, 30, are to the extreme which are not 4in the desired positioiigf to right and the pipes 25 are connected to atmove to the positions indicated in Fig. 8. 125 mosphere through the exhaust ports 29. `It With the pins 96, 9 7, and the pins 86, 87 in should be noted that due to the shifting of the respective positions as indicated in Fig.

levers 56, 57, are in the positions of saws down and saws up, respectively. i

The individual levers 56, 57, of the modiied device are interchangeable as inthe device disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 3' and 4, but the positions of the pins 87, 86, must be altered to make thesame angle with the levers on the other side thereof. The general construction of the valves and valve casing of the modified device is, however, identical with that of -the device disclosed in Figs. l,- 2, 3 and 4, thereby maintaining the advantages of interchangeability of these members throughout.

In orderto apply the eontrollin mechanism disclosed in Figs. 1 to 8, to t at type of trimmer saw equipment in which the saws 47 are moved 'into cutting position by gravity and out of cutting position by iuid pressure, itfisnecessary to either reverse the individual valve boxes 23 themselves by swinging same 180o about a vertical axis without disturbing the porting, or to reverse the ports connecting the pipes 25 with the chamber 22, relative to the valves 28, 30. The reversal of the ports is accomplished by interchanging the connections of the plugs 26 and pipes 25 with the valve boxes 23. In either case the lever location as well as the central position of the exhaust ports 29 relative to the valves 28, 30, is maintained, the location or hand of the port connecting the pipe 25 with the chamber 22 being reversed relative to the valves 28, 30. With the valves 28, 30, Fig. 9, of this type of equipment to the extreme right and using the class of levers 6, 7, 'as disclosed in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4, the pipes 25 and actuating cylinders 410 are in communication with vthe exhaust ports 29. The pistons 42 and conber 22 through the pipe-s 25 to the'under faces o'r' the pistons 42, thereby moving the saws 47 out of cutting position.

It will thus be noted that the cont-rol device is readily applicable tovariolis types v of trimmer saw equipments without chan ing the direction of actuation of the individual levers G, 7, as referred to their effect on the position of the saws 47.I The use of interchangeable and reversible valve boxes 23 and ports connecting therewith, alsopermits the use of operating levers of any of the three general classes of levers, two of which are disclosed. It should also be noted that if it is desired to reverse the normal direction of operation of the operating levers, this may readily be done on either type of equipment without changing the location of the levers relative to the valve boxes, by reversing the position of the ports connected with .the pipes 25, relative to the valves 28, 30. The individual valve boxes 23 may be considered as having' one handed ports and capable of having the hand, or location of the ports, relative to the central exhaust ports 29, altered by swinging the boxes 1800 or by reversing the plug and pipe connections without changing the location of the levers 6, 7. During installation the same change may be effected by similarly swinging the boxes collectively. The general construct-ion and arrangement of the manually operable and pressure controlling means provide great liexibility in the mechanism and adapt same for use with all types of equipments.

It should be understood that it -isnot desired to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

It is claimedA and desired to secure by Letters Patent,-

1. In combination with a table, a plurality -of saws movable into' and out of cutting .po-

sition relative to said table, individual means for normally setting each of said saws in either of said two` positions, and means for eli'ecting direct selective setting ,of said saws from any position of prior individual.

setting.

2. In combination with a table, a plurality v of saws movable into and out of cutting pofor normally setting each of said saws in either of said two positions, and common means for effecting collective and direct selective setting of said saws from any position of prior individual setting.

3. In combination with a table, a plurality of saws movable into and out of cutting position relative to said table, manually operable individual levers for normally setting' each of saidv saws in either of said two positions, and -a common manually operable leverv for effecting collective and direct selective setting of said saws from any position of prior individual setting.

4. In combination with a table, a plurality of saws movable into' and out of cutting position relative to said table, individualleversl for normally setting each of said saws in either of said two positions, a valve operable by each of said levers, an individual valve box for each of said valves, said valve boxes abutting to form a common communieating passage, and a p-ressure inlet to said common passage.

5. In combination with a table, a plurality of saws movable into and out of cutting position relative to said table, pressure means v sition relative to said table, individual means for moving said saws into one of said two positions, individual means for controlling the setting of each of said saws in either of said two positions, and means for maintainin the direction of operation of said indivi ual means as referred to their effect on the,position of said saws irrespective as to whether the pressure means move said saws into or out of cutting position.

6. In combination with a table, a lurality of saws movable into and out ofp cutting position relative to said table, pressure means for moving said saws into one of said two positions, individual levers for controlling said means, and mea-ns for maintaining the direction of operation ofsaid levers as referred to their effect on the position of said saws irrespective of the class of said individual levers.

7. In combination with a table, a plurality of saws movable into and out of cutting position relative to said table, pressure means for moving said saws, individual means for lsetting each of said saws in either of said two positions, a valve operable by each of said individual means for controlling said pressure means, porting controllable by said valves and means for altering the position Yof said porting as referred to said valves. 8. In combination with a table, a plurality of rsaws movable into and out of cutting position relative to said table, ressure means for movin said saws, indivi ual means for setting eac of said saws, valves operable by said individual means for controlling said pressure means, a casing forming a common chamber in which said valves are operable, ports communicating with saidchamber and controllable by said valvesfand means for permitting reversal of the position of said ports relative to said valves.

9. In combination with a table, a plurality of sawsmovable'into and out ofA cutting position relative to said table, pressure means for moving said saws, individual means for setting each of said saws, valves operable by said individual means for controlling said pressure means, a Avalve casing for said valves, ports-in said casing, controllable by said valves, and means permitting altering the position of said casing as referred to the position of said individual operating means.

10. In combination with a table, a plu rality of saws movable into and out of cutting position relative to said table, pressure means for moving said saws into one of said positions, individual means for setting each of said Isaws in either of said two positions, valves operable by said individual means for controlling said pressure means, and a plurality of ports controllable by each of said valves, one of said ports being central relative to the movement of saidvalve and the other of said ports having its position relative to said central port alterable.

11. In combination with a trimmer saw, a lever interchangeably reversible to lconvert a saw from Slasher to intermediate or vice versa.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is aiiixed hereto in the presence Witnesses W. H. LIEBER,

J. H. KANE. 

